This is the sixteenth book in the Bartholomew chronicles.
As always, there is a wonderfully rich storyline and I find the dialogues between characters wonderfully captivating. Susanna Gregory has the gift of being able to transport the reader to the medieval streets of Cambridge and walk them with Matthew and Brother Michael as they investigate various heinous crimes.
This time Matthew and Michael are investigating a thief who is stealing signacula from pilgrims, then whilst Michaelhouse's roof is undergoing repairs, the body of a prominent townsman and benefactor turns up amongst the tiles. From there, the body count rises rapidly.
Unrest is being stirred up amongst the Colleges deliberately by Principal Kendale and the scholars of Chestre Hostel, exacerbated by the camp-ball game that is called, ostensibly to start a riot. More deaths quickly follow: Alice, Poynton, Yffi, Gib. There is neither rhyme nor reason that Michael or Matthew can fathom.
What with Matthew's problems being considered a warlock and the aggravation of the town's other three physicians - Gyseburne, Meryfield and Rougham - who are hellbent on finding a new means of lighting their way (which only results in spectacular explosions) it is no wonder the pair find themselves under pressure to solve the case before a riot ensues during the planned Carmelite lecture of Hornesby in the next few days. The subtle pressure of japes and tomfoolery between secular and spiritual is driving Cambridge to confrontation.
The denouement has Matthew falling from the rafters of the town hall, as he finally understands who is behind it all. The town is purged of predjudice again; the petty rivalries between Hostels and Colleges are put aside for the time being; the ridiculous nature of St Simon Stock's scapular is revealed; and Michaelhouse finally gets another roof. I was hoping to see the reappearance of the love of Matthew's life. Not to be in this novel, maybe next time! ( )

I love Susanna Gregory's Matthew Bartholomew historical mystery series. Each new book is great and each plot is very different from the previous books in the series. This book is set in Cambridge in the winter of 1358. Cambridge is undergoing a cold and miserable winter, and there is still plenty of unrest and rivalry between "town and gown". Then citizens are being murdered and robbed. Matthew and Michael know that there are evil forces at work in their city, and they need to find the source in order to avoid a huge blowup in the city. I love the mix of true historical figures and Ms. Gregory's fictional characters, and I love the fast-paced plots that are de rigeur for all the books in this series. I never tire of this wonderful series. ( )